By Robb Fenton
The Lloydminster Bandits ended 2009 losing two straight and on a bit of a slide.
It seems like things have turned around for them early in 2010.
The Bandits hit the road this past weekend and walked away with two wins – a 13-0 thrashing of the Thorhild Titans and a key 6-3 doubling of the Cold Lake Ice.
“It was really good for our hockey club, a good confidence builder. We were struggling a little bit before the new year and I think it kind of showed what we put into it is what we’re going to get out of it,” Bandits head coach Joe Young said. “There’s nothing better than starting a new year off with a 2-0 weekend.”
While Thorhild didn’t put up much of a challenge, Sunday’s game in Cold Lake was very important because of the log jam at the top of the standings.
Vegreville has created a cushion at the top of the standings, but the Bandits, Cold Lake and Saddle Lake are all within a few points of each other in positions two through four.
“The standings are really close with us and Cold Lake, so coming out of there with two points is big and it was a successful weekend for sure,” Young said.
With the struggles to end 2009, teams were looking to take advantage and send a message to the Bandits that they were in for a tough ride the rest of the season.
This past weekend allowed the Bandits to return the message and let the league know they are back and ready to defend their league and provincial titles.
“I definitely think so. The last time we played them there they beat us, so it was good to go there and win. It’s a tough building to play in and they have a pretty physical team, but the guys responded well,” Young explained. “I could tell when I went in the room before the game that everybody was ready to go. You know when you can sense that it’s going to be a pretty good night.”
Execution was the biggest difference between the games before New Year’s and the games immediately after.
The skill level has never been questioned, but playing a complete 60 minutes has been in the first half of the year.
Young can safely say his team played two complete games this past weekend.
“To me it comes down to work ethic because we do have a lot of talent on our team, but if we’re not competing and not working hard, we’re not going to get much. We showed if we are at the top of our game, we’re a tough team to beat,” he said. “I can honestly say we played 60 minutes both games. Even in the Thorhild game where the score was out of control, the guys still stuck with it and stuck with the game plan. Overall it was a great way to start the new year.”
It’s a good start, but it’s only two wins. Young knows his team has to keep up their strong play and make a run at the top spot in the league.
“It’s extremely important. We obviously want to climb as high as we can in the standings and get home ice throughout the playoffs. Points are critical this time of year and with Cold Lake, Vegreville and Saddle Lake so close, losing one game could comeback and haunt you in the end,” Young explained.
“We have to be ready to go every game and play to the best of our ability. If we do that, we’re going to have a lot of success the rest of the way.”
The Bandits hosted the Vermilion Tigers last night, but a score was not available at press time.
Next action for the Bandits is Saturday when they host Vegreville at the Civic Centre at 7:30 p.m.